Can Google Turn Its Glass Dream Into Reality?

Google has a dream: Millions of people buy their robotic eyewear and use the specs to send massive stores of data back to Google HQ, allowing them to further fine tune their targeted ads and rake in even more dough.

In fact, it´s entirely likely those Verizon commercials for Android handsets are very accurate representations of Google´s dream.

These days, Google is busying themselves with trying to bring this dream from sleeping stages to wide-eyed reality; and according to recent reports, they´ve got quite a ways yet to go.

Rome wasn´t built in a day, and to Google’s credit, it’s at least putting forth some serious effort to bring us one step closer to fusing our bodies with our technology. This week, Google has sent out invites to developers to attend a 2 day hackathon to build software and services for their new specs. The Search Giant from Mountain View, California was also granted a patent for a projection system which could be used to control these glasses, employing the wearers arms to act as a touchpad.

According to several news sources, the Google Project Glass team has unveiled the Glass Foundry this week– 2, two-day events in 2 cities wherein developers will be asked to explain to Google what they should be doing with these futuristic glasses. The first of these events will be held in San Francisco on January 28 and 29, the second in New York on February 1st and 2nd.

According to the email sent out to those Google developers who signed up for the Glass Explorers program last year, the first day of these events will hold an introduction to Glass in its current state–the project, mind you, remains “in flux.”

“You’ll have a device to use while on-site,” reads the email, obtained by PCMag.com.

“Next we’ll take a look at the Mirror API, which gives you the ability to exchange data and interact with the user over REST. We’ll then dive into development with Google engineers on site to help you at any point. At the end of the second day we’ll have a lively round of demos with some special guest judges,” continued the email.

Should these developers come up empty handed with what Google plans to do with this technology, the search giant still has one more trick up its sleeve, pun intended.

According to a patent filing uncovered by Engadget, Google Glass may one day be controlled via projection system. According to the patent art, the included projector will display controls, such as a keypad, on the wearer´s arm or hand. The same controls will be mirrored in the glasses, acting as a sort of Heads Up Display (HUD.) The wearer can then type away on their arms or hands to place a phone call, send a text, or look for directions to the closest Verizon Wireless store.

According to the filing, the projector will be smart enough to know when your hand isn´t available, of course.

““¦The processor may detect when the display hand is moving and interpret display hand movements as inputs to the virtual device,” reads the filing. The device will also use a camera and gyroscope to know when it should be shooting a projection of a keypad at your arm.

It´s hard to blame Google for trying. After all, they have millions of dollars at their disposal and the tools needed to bring this device to life. What they´ve yet to do, however, is figure out what this thing will do, how it will be controlled, and how they´ll sell it.